The other day we mentioned that you'd be seeing a review of the new 500 piece tub recently released in the UK. Well, it's not here yet. Instead what we have for you is a review of Brutaka, the second titan set of 2006. BZPower Reference Keeper Toa Tilius has kindly written up a fantastic review that should give you a good idea of whether or not this set is right for you. Read on...

THE BOXThe the most superficial part of any LEGO product, but the one that often determines whether or not the set is a success or failure.

The same general style of Axonn's box - a simple background. A lava-covered rocky terrain is visible in the mist that surrounds Brutaka. The Voya Nui logo is placed, as usual, behind the set, and a Brutaka logo is towards the bottom right. Oh, another thing I should mention is the '8-16' age "limit" in the corner. This now means, if somebody happens to call you childish, you can just show them the age rating, and they'll hopefully stop. Which is odd, considering the old 8+ age range spans higher than this new one, though the new one (by my own very scientific tests) comes out on tops as far as proof of un-childishness. Which is a good thing.

I don't really like the swooshing claw on the front - it hides most of the set. A nobler pose might have been a better idea.

The back of the box is also of a similar layout to Axonn's - the combiner at the bottom, a close-up of the feet, and the other titan in the mist. Brutaka seems to be intrigued by something in his hand - lava? Mask? Mask of Life? Something else? We just don't know yet...

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?So you've bought it and taken it home (or at least made it to the car), punched the perforated tabs and dump out the contents. What do you get for your money?

Three bags and an instruction booklet. Plenty more pieces than Axonn, plus a heap of gold parts. That's the new, proper gold, too. I love it!

THE BRICKSHere's where we start to cut to the heart of the matter. You didn't buy this box for all the glossy booklets & creative artwork. You want to know about the LEGO bricks & bits that are included, and what (if any) new & interesting parts you'll find inside. Here's also where I'll talk about any new and/or interesing pieces that you will encounter.

There's a few old parts but in new colours there, but two things stand out - Brutaka's mask and his swords. Okay, that's technically three. Either way, they're there.

So, the mask. It's big. Very big. The biggest Kanohi ever, I believe. It's actually quite disc-like, too. It curves down to the mouth part, and so follows the shape of Brutaka's Toa Metru head. Yeah - no light-up eyes to be seen here at all.

The swords, or whatever you want to call them, are nice, sort of double-edged. It's always nice to have a new weapon or two.

BUILDING EXPERIENCEWhat can you expect while putting this model together?

As this set has more pieces than Axonn, it obviously takes a lot longer. Brutaka's bulk is mainly just the new gold Hordika foot piece, and his body is a blue Piraka torso. The legs are similar to Axonn's, with the piston feature and general build. There are also two chronicler staff 'wings' that can be extended like so:

They attach to two Hordika necks, which attach to a long joint, which attaches to the lower body. What are they? I have no idea, but an extra pair of golden Chroniclers staffs never hurt anyone.

Once complete, Brutaka is a little taller than Sidorak (with the pistons fully extended), and towers over Axonn.

PLAYING EXPERIENCESo you've got the model together, but is it more like playing with a block of wood or an interactive toy?

This guy is great. Once again, though, there is no action feature. As I've said before, I don't mind, but a lot of you will do. Even if I loved action features that much, I wouldn't mind on this set, because he just looks so grand! The set is great fun to pose, and looks cool however you pose it.

Of course, no set is perfect. And the single thing that I'm not fond of in this set is the hands. One hand has two golden Bohrok eyes, and the other just doesn't. This is to allow Brutaka's swords to be connected.

OVERALLHere's where it all boils down to whether the model is worth your money and time or not.

The hands are the only problem in the whole set, though. Be assured that this guy is definitely worth your money. It's possibly my favorite set in recent years, and I recommend it to you all. Yes, even those people who don't like 2006 so far. This set will very probably change your opinion. Hold on a few months before you make your final judgment. You might well be very surprised...

And there you have it, Brutaka in all his glory. Be sure to thank Toa Tilius for taking the time to review this set for BZPower. Also, be sure to check out his Brickshelf Gallery for more images. Stay tuned for continued 2006 set reviews!